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The world’s largest network of food events returns to Abu Dhabi

The world’s largest network of food events returns to Abu Dhabi

13-Sep-11

SIAL Middle East 2011 will host 500 exhibitors, 15 national pavilions and 500 of the region’s top food and equipment buyers and welcome over 12,000 trade visitors from 80 countries.

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, SIAL Middle East will take place from 21 -23 November, 2011 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

SIAL Middle East is part of the SIAL Group, the world’s largest network of professional food events. Held annually, under strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the event brings together professionals involved in buying and selling food products, services and equipment in addition to showcasing the latest innovations in the food industry.

After being highly commended in the Best Trade Exhibition category at the Middle East Event Awards 2011 and named as the largest and best attended business event launched in Abu Dhabi last year, SIAL Middle East has fast become the region’s dynamic event for the professional food industry.

“SIAL Middle East identifies key strengths that can be enhanced and areas that might be improved to further the economic and competitive potential of the regional food industry,” said Valérie Lobry, Managing Director of SIAL Group.

The region’s food consumption is expected to reach 51.5 million tonnes by 2015, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% over the period of 2011-15, while the food consumption per capita will increase at a CAGR of 2.1% over the period of 2011-15.

“Trade professionals and buyers will be able to source an array of food products and services, some of them never seen before in the region,” added Fadi Saad, Group Exhibition Director at Turret Media – organiser of the Middle East’s edition.

Did you know?

SIAL Middle East will host 500 key food buyers from the region under its SIAL Middle East Purchasers Club programme. This exclusive club has been created to match food, beverage and equipment buyers with relevant exhibitors to help facilitate business through a series of networking functions throughout the year, and pre-arranged one-to-one meetings at SIAL Middle East.

Hussain Kenaan, General Manager of Tresor Trading and Contracting Co, Kuwait – who attended SIAL Middle East 2010 as a hosted buyer, said, “It is a great opportunity to network with like-minded people in a more focused atmosphere. Personal contacts are very important to me. The food suppliers actually have the time to sit, talk, discuss, negotiate and finalise deals with the buyers on the spot.”

A dedicated team has been created to deliver the unique matrix designed for the programme, receive requests and examine the eligibility of the applications. Mohammed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Community Services and Communications, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority said, “The Hosted Buyers Programme will enable food manufacturing companies to develop export potential and reach out to the vibrant Middle East and African market.”

What’s new?

Grocery @ SIAL Middle East - a dedicated trading platform for grocery store operators and managers at the show.

At Grocery @ SIAL Middle East, manufacturers can meet purchasers in the grocery retail circuit and get their products enlisted in grocery stores.

This feature is a one-stop shop for grocers as they get ready to refurbish their premises and consider add-on services in line with the new standards and regulations set in place by Abu Dhabi Government.

SIAL Innovations Award - For 2011, SIAL Middle East will be bringing the prestigious SIAL Innovations Award to the Middle East for the first time and launching its very own Trends and Innovations Observatory that will feature major trends shaping the future of food products and the 50 most innovative products chosen by XTC World Innovations during various global SIAL editions this year.

“Today's consumers prefer products that offer something new and provide them with substantial benefits. This explains the radical shifts in the way global food players develop and market their products. The Middle East needs to be more aware of underlying food trends across the world given its diverse and expanding demographic profile. SIAL has been a remarkable source of innovative food concepts over the past 40 years that the Middle East can look to for inspiration," said Xavier Terlet, President, XTC world innovation

The observatory will also host discussions on the flavours, textures and ingredients influencing food product innovation, and food innovation trends in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Turkey named country of honour

Determined in its efforts to increase bilateral food trade with the UAE to US$250 million by 2015, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has announced that 40 Turkish companies will exhibit at SIAL Middle East 2011. In recognition of Turkey’s contribution to developing the region’s food industry, SIAL Middle East has named Turkey as its Country of Honour for 2011.

Not to be missed...Flavours from around the worldFood business at the show turns into an entirely superb experience as trade visitors get to unlock an exciting array of food products that cater to the global food industry. The major appeal of this grand event is that majority exhibitors belong to the international food industry. Moreover, national pavilions from Turkey, Argentina, Korea, China, Taiwan, Iran, France, Italy, Poland, Vietnam, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Egypt and the UAE will feature international companies showcasing an array of food products and services, some of them never seen before in the region.Creative gastronomy at La Cuisine by SIAL!Organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, La Cuisine by SIAL will showcase the talent and artistry of hundreds of professional chefs as they compete under the watchful gaze of WACS approved judges across a variety of disciplines.

Region’s best chefs in action

The Africa & Middle East semi-finals of the WACS Global Chefs Challenge and Hans Bueschkens Young Chefs Challenge will take place at SIAL Middle East 2011. The WACS Global Chef Challenge is the largest individual culinary competition in the world. Winners will proceed to the finals in South Korea during May 2012.

Alen Thong, Coordinator of the Emirates Culinary Guild, said the dynamic hospitality industry in the capital made Abu Dhabi the perfect choice to host prestigious international events of the culinary industry. Uniting the regional chef community is a major coup for Abu Dhabi, a city placing great importance on the growth of its hospitality industry by investing US$4.34 billion into hotel projects over the next three years.

“SIAL Middle East and La Cuisine by SIAL provide an ideal environment for professional chefs to network, interact, and exchange information with their peers,” Thong added.

Get to know

A full programme of keynote speeches, panel debates, presentations and expert workshops will run in parallel with the exhibition. Topics include food retail in the region, food security and sustainability, consumer and ingredients trends, nutrition and healthy food, business and marketing and food quality and safety.

SIAL Middle East Rewind!

In November 2010, Abu Dhabi hosted the latest edition to SIAL’s international portfolio of professional events serving the food and beverage industry.

The city, regarded as the emerging business hub in the Middle East, brought together 7,244 trade professionals from 76 countries, 300 exhibitors from 40 countries and 9 national pavilions in addition to hosting 329 key buyers under its specifically designed SIAL Purchasers Club. More than 100 chefs participated in the one-of-its-kind La Cuisine du SIAL chef competition organised by Emirates Culinary Guild.

SIAL Middle East 2010 also hosted a high-level Ministerial Conference, where six ministers explored the development of an integrated food policy for the GCC countries.

“The timing for an event of this scale was important – the region looks forward to a sustainable economic recovery through a more diversified economic base. SIAL Middle East assesses the expansion possibilities of the food industry and develops trade potential across the region,” said Fadi Saad, Group Exhibition Director at Turret Media – organiser of the event.

Corry de Wit from Southern United States Trade Association said, "SIAL Middle East was very well organised and had a focus on trade visitors only, which was much appreciated by our participants as this increased the quality of contacts and possibility of sales of products."

Dr. Lucien Ghanem from Rafic Marroush said, "We had a very successful participation. The quality of visitors was great and we had plenty of time to discuss, interact, get feedback and sign contracts on the spot. We will definitely be back next year with more products to showcase and launch!"

Registration

Entry into SIAL Middle East is strictly for trade professionals only. Entry is free for pre-registered visitors. Registration can be done easily online at www.sialme.com

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